25. One of the cautions of this instruction, avoid alluring beauty.
take--or, "ensnare."
eyelids--By painting the lashes, women enhanced beauty.
26. The supplied words give a better sense than the old version: "The price of a whore is a piece of bread."
adulteress--(Compare Margin), which the parallel and context ([Pr 6:29-35]) sustain. Of similar results of this sin, compare [Pr 5:9-12].
will hunt--alluding to the snares spread by harlots (compare [Pr 7:6-8]).
precious life--more valuable than all else.
27-29. The guilt and danger most obvious.
30-31. Such a thief is pitied, though heavily punished.
32. lacketh understanding--or, "heart"; destitute of moral principle and prudence.
33. dishonour--or, "shame," as well as hurt of body ([Pr 3:35]).
reproach ... away--No restitution will suffice;
34-35. nor any terms of reconciliation be admitted.
regard--or, "accept" any ransom.
Chapter 7
Pr 7:1-27. The subject continued, by a delineation of the arts of strange women, as a caution to the unwary
1-4. Similar calls ([Pr 3:1-3; 4]:10, &c.).
5. The design of the teaching (compare [Pr 2:16]; 6:24).
6. For--or, "Since," introducing an example to illustrate the warning, which, whether a narrative or a parable, is equally pertinent.
window--or, "opening"
looked--literally, "watched earnestly" ([Jud 5:28]).
casement--or, "lattice."
7. simple--as in [Pr 1:4].
void of, &c.--(Compare [Pr 6:32]).
8. her corner--where she was usually found.
went ... house--implying, perhaps, confidence in himself by his manner, as denoted in the word
went--literally, "tread pompously."
9. The time, twilight, ending in darkness.
black ... night--literally, "pupil," or, "eye," that is, middle of night.
10. attire--that of harlots was sometimes peculiar.
subtile--or, "wary," "cunning."
11-12. loud--or, "noisy," "bustling."
stubborn--not submissive.
without ... streets, ... corner--(Compare [1Ti 5:13]; [Tit 2:5]).
13-15. The preparations for a feast do not necessarily imply peculiar religious professions. The offerer retained part of the victim for a feast ([Le 3:9], &c.). This feast she professes was prepared for him whom she boldly addresses as one sought specially to partake of it.
16-17. my bed--or, "couch," adorned in the costliest manner.
18-20. There is no fear of discovery.
21. caused ... yield--or, "inclines."
flattering--(Compare [Pr 5:3]).
forced him--by persuasion overcoming his scruples.
22. straightway--quickly, either as ignorant of danger, or incapable of resistance.
23. Till--He is now caught ([Pr 6:26]).
24. The inferential admonition is followed ([Pr 7:26], ), by a more general allegation of the evils of this vice.
26-27. Even the mightiest fail to resist her deathly allurements.